Opinion: Disaster in Cleveland, Deshaun Watson's 2023 Season is Over

The Cleveland Browns announced on Wednesday that starting quarterback Deshaun Watson will undergo surgery on his throwing shoulder and his 2023 Season is over.

Devastating news coming out of Cleveland Wednesday - the Browns announced that the 2023 season is over for starting quarterback Deshaun Watson. Coming off of a thrilling victory on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, the Browns, and the fanbase, have the wind taken out of their sails with today's news.

This is the third season-ending injury for the Browns on offense this year to arguably the three most important pieces of the offense. 

In week one the Browns lost right tackle Jack Conklin to a torn ACL, in week two running back Nick Chubb went down with a gruesome torn MCL and ACL tear and now in Week 11, Deshaun Watson is out for the year. 

Oct 22, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns have been able to weather the storm by dealing with these injuries all year, but this one might be too tall of a mountain to overcome. 

Where do the Browns go from here?

Part of the bigger problem is that this injury takes place after the trade deadline, so no deals can be made to trade for a quarterback. The Browns' only option, other than PJ Walker or Dorian Thompson-Robinson would be to look into free agency.

There are not many available options that are viable right now but the Browns need to start looking. This team is too good, this roster is too good and the outlook on the year was too high for this season to fall flat on its face. 

This is a disappointing turn in a year that was shaping up to be one of the best that Cleveland has seen in years.